WikiLeaks founder pens open letter to Francois Hollande

Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks website where leaked secret documents were published, asked France for asylum in an open letter to president of France, Francois Hollande. He received an answer from Hollande’s office promptly saying that it would not be able to comply with his request.

The 44-year old Julian Assange was granted political asylum by Ecuador in 2012 for revealing secret information, most notably a series of US military and diplomatic files provided by former US soldier Chelsea Manning in 2010.

Assange wrote that his life is in danger and his physical and psychological integrity is threatened. The letter said that only France is now able to offer him the necessary protection against political persecution of which he is currently a subject.

Assange is wanted for questioning over allegations of sexual assault committed in Sweden when he was visiting the country in 2010. Founder of WikiLeaks denies the allegations and has claimed they are politically motivated.

In August, Assange said he would leave the Ecuadorian embassy, amid reports that he was suffering from a heart condition and other ailments.